Pussy Bows and New Shoes

I have been scouring thrift stores for about a year now looking for a pussy bow blouse. No luck though, as always happens (in my experience) when one enters a thrift store with definite ideas about purchases in mind. So I was delightfully surprised to find this dress in a thrift store several weeks ago. I love dresses, they're so easy to wear, especially in the summer. I find this one ingenious because of the combination of fabrics and little belt that give it more of a skirt and blouse feel (maybe I'm a little too easily impressed, now that I re-read that:). I paired it with my red heels for a pop of color, along with some mix and match bracelets, the ship pin that I found in a Tennessee antique store last summer and my 3/4 length denim jacket. I wasn't too sure about the color of the latter when I bought it, but figured that I could dye it if it didn't work with my wardrobe. Then I saw a photo of Diane Kruger wearing a similar one and knew that I could make it work...I think she always looks so chic:)

(Please click on any of the pictures if you wish to enlarge them:)

And on to the new shoes! I have to preface this with an explanation, so please bear with me.  A few days ago, on my way home, I had to walk through a torrential downpour to get from the bus to my front door. I have to say that I'm usually absolutely put out by having to walk through the rain. As I once explained to my incredulous husband, 'if you spent half an hour getting ready this morning, you wouldn't want it all to be ruined by a rainstorm either.' That being said, this day I was happy to be out because I'd been visiting my husband on his lunch break. I thought to myself, you'll be home soon and then you can put on pajamas, crawl into bed all warm and dry, and enjoy an afternoon of Agatha Christie and hot tea because you don't have anywhere else to be today but in bed. 

Well, while my mind was already curled up with a book,  my body was being soaked by a puddle that some not "nice person" in a Porche had driven through. I couldn't believe it...I actually stood there stunned, waiting for him/her to back up the car and apologize:) I think it was right around then that I realized how wet my feet were. I didn't worry too much about it, what with the rain, the puddle, and my now fervent desire to get home. When I did reach my doorstop though, I realized that there was a hole in the bottom of my shoe. Yes, I'd worn straight through another pair of black flats. There was nothing to do, I reasoned, but to go out and buy a new pair of these utilitarian (and I thought ubiquitous) flats.

I walk a lot on my own time and at work. So I thought it was justified to go shopping at my earliest convenience. That time fell today. Off I went to DSW, thinking naively that I would surely be able to find a pair of closed toed, black wedges (I've recently realized that  I don't really like wearing flats - the holy ones were one of my last few holdouts). I'm not sure if its seasonal or what, but I was there for a good hour and a half and didn't see any black wedges that were (a) in my size (b) appropriate for work or (c) appealing in any way. What I did find, and eventually buy, were these brown strappy heels. 

Okay, so they're not black, they're a little too high for one of my jobs and they're not in the least bit what I was looking for....but they're so cute and comfortable! I only wish they came in colors other than black and brown. I could totally see myself wearing purple and green pairs as well:) I've bullied myself into buying "appropriate" shoes before, only to realize that I don't like them and therefore don't really want to wear them. I chose not to do that today and am quite happy with my decision. I guess something good definitely came out of that rainy day and those holy shoes.